Have you read The Poppy War and sequels from R.F. Kuang? The very very brief summary of the premise is "fantasy reimagining of the Opium Wars".
Third Perpetual Book Thread
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That’s another good one. It’s not on my shelf anymore because I donated it to my local Friends of the Library.
In Monica Ross's F1 romance series, the sister of one of the F1 racers was already married and they covered her history enough that I wondered if she had been the main character of another book. And it turns out, she was; Monica Ross apparently has a whole interconnected romance universe and there is a book, Break, that covers the slow-burn romance of Nina, a teacher of pre-school/kindergarten age children, and Sebastian, a world championship beach volleyballer who is rehabbing a torn Achilles tendon. It's listed as part of a larger series but it mentions it can be read on its own. Warning: it involves another character stalking Nina, threatening violence, rape, and murder. It's also trying to suck me into the longer series to learn about all the side characters in this book.
I started WoT a few months back, just finished book 6 and think I need a break from the series for a bit (Every character exemplifies Dunning Kruger to some degree but the Aes Sedai seem to make it a prerequisite to joining).
Giving Children of Time a try because I can't be bothered to go back more than one page in this thread for recommendations.
Giving Children of Time a try because I can't be bothered to go back more than one page in this thread for recommendations.
The series went downhill? It didn't have a hill to start from.
I ban hammered Jordan after book 2 of WoT. I don't like figuring out the entire conclusion at halfway through and then watch as the author gets lost for 100 pages only to give me that exact conclusion.
On a more positive note, I just finished Leviathan Wakes (Book 1 of The Expanse). I will continue reading this series and would recommend in.
It was very different from the TV series, with a much more limited perspective (literally 1st person limited perspective on Holden and Miller). That means that larger system-wide narratives (OPA terrorism, Earth-Martian potshots) are all news information read by those two characters. As a result, it's a lot more personal story.
I understand why the TV series made the choice to include the other perspectives, as it means that they system-wide events could be "shown, not told".
As to the great question, "Is the show better than the book?" It would say they are near equals. Which is saying something, because with the exception of two (The Princess Bride and Stardust), I've always found the books to be better than the show.
I devoured Break - a mix of free time and being really into the characters. It was good but even with the happy romance ending, kind of sad since Nina is deeply traumatized by her stalker, to the point where she has to have the security system on whenever she is in her home and doesn't like being alone even during the day. It all makes sense but it does make me wonder how much of that was mentioned that I missed in the Speed Dating series. But now I'm looking for another book to read.
I apparently missed the James S. A. Corey already had a new book out after the Expanse and are coming out with a second in that trilogy. It sounds interesting; not sure I want to get into something where I'm waiting a year or two for a conclusion.
I apparently missed the James S. A. Corey already had a new book out after the Expanse and are coming out with a second in that trilogy. It sounds interesting; not sure I want to get into something where I'm waiting a year or two for a conclusion.
The Captive's War trilogy. I finished the first book in 4 days. The second book in the trilogy comes out on April 14th. I just placed a hold for it at my library.
Faith of Beasts, book 2 of The Captive's War.
It was in bookstores last week. I picked up my copy on Saturday night.
That was the source of this:
New James S. A. Corey dropped!!
I've been enjoying Will Wright's Cradle series in hardcover. I've also done the Audible, but Audible is mostly for driving, and a good book is still a good book.
I've added this to my library holds list. It is a race between Faith of Beasts and The Fifth Season for which will be the next read for me.
All I had to do was go into the bookstore, get to the counter by the door, pick up my cousin’s order and leave. Stupid register displays.
The Captive's War does sound interesting and I did enjoy The Expanse books. I'm still leaning towards waiting for the trilogy to be finished but I'm not sure why exactly. It's not like I don't trust the authors to finish the series; I think it is because the premise seems less hopeful and more depressing than the Expanse and I want to see reviews for the final book.
I've started reading Unbound by Penelope Bloom, the first book in the Confluence Academy series. It's unfinished so
I can definitely see the comparisons to Fourth Wing:
I don't find the similarities to be a problem so far.
I've started reading Unbound by Penelope Bloom, the first book in the Confluence Academy series. It's unfinished so
I can definitely see the comparisons to Fourth Wing: Nessa, a young woman, ends up at a magical military academy to be trained to be one of the elite magic users who protects the empire. Naturally, said academy kills the vast majority in the test to determine their elemental affinity (something like 5/6 of the recruits). And then places very little value on the survivors lives until they have bonded with an elemental later in the year, so if someone is killed during combat training, that's just the weak being culled. And there's Raith Hollow, a very muscular, skilled, and handsomely scarred recruit whose loyalty to the Empire is in question and who seems quite hostile to Nessa (but possibly not murderous), and a handsome, helpful and friendly older student who is giving her advice on how the school operates.
There's also differences. Basically no one knew what to expect at the academy so pretty much everyone is untrained in combat (except for those who live on the borderlands, like Raith). And Nessa has already been marked as special, marked with a unique symbol and not tied to a single element like the other recruits. The elements during the test fought over whether she is boon or bane for all elementals (and thus whether they should kill her or pass her). Nessa has kept that a secret (mostly - the helpful student saw the odd mark and talked her into how to disguise it, claiming he read it in a book that he has sent for; he seems to know more about it than he's revealed though).
There's also differences. Basically no one knew what to expect at the academy so pretty much everyone is untrained in combat (except for those who live on the borderlands, like Raith). And Nessa has already been marked as special, marked with a unique symbol and not tied to a single element like the other recruits. The elements during the test fought over whether she is boon or bane for all elementals (and thus whether they should kill her or pass her). Nessa has kept that a secret (mostly - the helpful student saw the odd mark and talked her into how to disguise it, claiming he read it in a book that he has sent for; he seems to know more about it than he's revealed though).
Just finished a novel written by a guy I know. I enjoyed it. "Death Whispers of the Etherwave (Legends of the Privateers Book 1)"
Started the Ink and Sigil series by Kevin Hearne. It's been out a while (three books are out, I think it's supposed to be a trilogy) but I only recently learned that it existed. I liked The Iron Druid series (even the last book).
Started the Ink and Sigil series by Kevin Hearne. It's been out a while (three books are out, I think it's supposed to be a trilogy) but I only recently learned that it existed. I liked The Iron Druid series (even the last book).
Just finished Unbound. I can definitely see why it is compared to Fourth Wing: it's got a pretty similar military academy vibe, intrigue and secret histories, love interests (though it leaves a lot more ambiguity on how trustworthy any of the love interests are), and lots of death and murder from fellow classmates, and some sex scenes (including magic that seems like it would be a pain in the ass if not actually dangerous). The magic system is different and a much bigger part of the story. They bind to elementals and there is some cool combat between the different elementals.
It's also very long - Kindle shows it at around 730 pages for the ending (not counting the preview of the next book).
I liked it but not as much as Fourth Wing. I'm not sure why... maybe the novelty factor of a military academy setting wearing off or getting tired of the whole "95% of you will die before graduation" drum beat (more so because the main characters make more friends than I recall in Fourth Wing). I think partly it is a slower book that didn't seem to present to the reader as clear of a progression of obstacles for the main characters to get through. Will have to do some more thinking on why it didn't enthrall me as much as other books I've read.
Not sure what I'm in the mood for next.
It's also very long - Kindle shows it at around 730 pages for the ending (not counting the preview of the next book).
I liked it but not as much as Fourth Wing. I'm not sure why... maybe the novelty factor of a military academy setting wearing off or getting tired of the whole "95% of you will die before graduation" drum beat (more so because the main characters make more friends than I recall in Fourth Wing). I think partly it is a slower book that didn't seem to present to the reader as clear of a progression of obstacles for the main characters to get through. Will have to do some more thinking on why it didn't enthrall me as much as other books I've read.
Not sure what I'm in the mood for next.
I have finished To Shape A Dragon’s Breath. That was a fun novel. Victorian steam punk indigenous dragon school fantasy historical fiction? I have book 2 on the shelf, but it’ll have to wait.
Up next? The new James SA Corey.
Up next? The new James SA Corey.
Finished three books:
For We Are Many: Book 2 of the Bobiverse. I think I figured out finally what annoys me about the writing style - the first person narrative combined with frequent jumps between characters who all have a similar voice kind of wears on me. Otherwise decent and serviceable science fiction.
Carl's Doomsday Scenario: Book 2 of DCC. Either I'm adapting to the style or it's getting better. I do have a small problem with the flow; felt like the circus subplot kind of petered out the tension before getting back into the main story. It almost feels like two books smushed together.
The Regicide Report: A fine return to form for Stross. I'd been reading his stuff more out of habit than actual desire lately, but this book (which ends the Laundry sequence) was an entertaining read, and ended just about as I'd expected the series to.
For We Are Many: Book 2 of the Bobiverse. I think I figured out finally what annoys me about the writing style - the first person narrative combined with frequent jumps between characters who all have a similar voice kind of wears on me. Otherwise decent and serviceable science fiction.
Carl's Doomsday Scenario: Book 2 of DCC. Either I'm adapting to the style or it's getting better. I do have a small problem with the flow; felt like the circus subplot kind of petered out the tension before getting back into the main story. It almost feels like two books smushed together.
The Regicide Report: A fine return to form for Stross. I'd been reading his stuff more out of habit than actual desire lately, but this book (which ends the Laundry sequence) was an entertaining read, and ended just about as I'd expected the series to.
I almost want to ask if the ending is as bleak as it looked like it was going to be a couple books back...but I won't, because this is on my to-read list (along with the previous book or two, it's been a while since I touched the series).
Well, this IS Charles Stross we are talking about. I’ll just say it isn’t as bleak as “A Colder War”…
Bleak, but maybe not quite as bleak as it could have been.
The Queen is undead, long "live" the Queen!
Bob's story arc has a happy-ish ending
These books do generally get better, at least until 7 (that one is more more in the love it or hate it camp).
The circus will return on the next city floor!
I ended up getting into a shorter contemporary romance with non-supernatural police with For the Fight (Elite SWAT book 1) by Leah Ashton. It's set in Australia and I have no idea how accurate it is since all I know about Australia is watching Crocodile Dundee, listening to a podcast where a guy playing World of Warcraft pretended to be Australian after watching Crocodile Dundee and using Google (it all fell apart when an actual Australian joined the guild), and watching a few episodes of NCIS: Sydney, so I think they got the use of arse, knickers, bottoms, and the firearms situation right but I wouldn't swear on any of it. It's been a bit of a page turner since they both get held hostage for a good bit of the beginning. I've finished it and need to figure out what to read next.
I've been reading the 'Infinite and the Divine' 40k Necron book and listening to the audiobook alongside it while gardening. I've bounced off the non-imperial-focused books in the past but I've taken to this one and it's got me wanting to read the other Necron books, maybe even the Tau ones. It's been really funny seeing how petty and childish such ancient powerful beings really are.
Also coming up on my yearly (guilty pleasure) re-read of Tom Clancy's 'Red Storm Rising'. I'll probably move straight on to Eric L Harry's 'Arclight', it being the closest book to Red Storm Rising that I've been able to find. Close third and fourth would be 'Team Yankee' by Harold Coyle and 'Bering Straight' by FX Holden. Might binge them all!
Also coming up on my yearly (guilty pleasure) re-read of Tom Clancy's 'Red Storm Rising'. I'll probably move straight on to Eric L Harry's 'Arclight', it being the closest book to Red Storm Rising that I've been able to find. Close third and fourth would be 'Team Yankee' by Harold Coyle and 'Bering Straight' by FX Holden. Might binge them all!
I’m about halfway through The Picture of Dorian Gray, and boy is it a wild ride! I had no idea it would be so overtly….Freudian.
Anyway, since I’m reading it right after Moby Dick, I’m trying to decide which is more homoerotic. Against all odds, I think it might be Moby Dick!
Anyway, since I’m reading it right after Moby Dick, I’m trying to decide which is more homoerotic. Against all odds, I think it might be Moby Dick!
Lois Bujold's latest Penric & Desdemona e-novella, "Darksight Dare", was released last Thursday. See her announcement on GoodReads.
Bought it this afternoon; finished an hour or two ago. As good as usual...
Bought it this afternoon; finished an hour or two ago. As good as usual...
Finished up Dorian Gray. Holy self-loathing closeted homosexuality, Batman!
Anyway, time to move to the 20th Century, I think. Next up is probably either Catch-22 or The Sirens of Titan, both of which I read a long time ago, and am curious to revisit.
Anyway, time to move to the 20th Century, I think. Next up is probably either Catch-22 or The Sirens of Titan, both of which I read a long time ago, and am curious to revisit.
New Martha Wells and new Ann Leckie tomorrow!
I read How to Become the Dark Lord and Die Trying, and the sequel Everybody Wants to Rule the World (Except Me). They were a fun romp, but definitely suffered from the "man writing a woman" thing. And the first part of the second book took focus off stuff I was most interested in - for good structural reasons, but still. Overall I enjoyed them enough to read both, probably because that kind of silly distraction is what I needed last week, but I'm not sure I'd recommend them.
I read How to Become the Dark Lord and Die Trying, and the sequel Everybody Wants to Rule the World (Except Me). They were a fun romp, but definitely suffered from the "man writing a woman" thing. And the first part of the second book took focus off stuff I was most interested in - for good structural reasons, but still. Overall I enjoyed them enough to read both, probably because that kind of silly distraction is what I needed last week, but I'm not sure I'd recommend them.
Thanks for the reminder. Pre-order put in for the dead tree version.
Edit: And I found How To Become The Dark Lord just too… something. I didn’t like the main character at all, and decided I didn’t care enough for her to continue reading more.
It's extremely extra, and not typically my brand of humour. And I really thought the cultural references went well beyond straining credulity for the character and comfortably into "these are just self-insert things the author likes" territory. But I liked basically every secondary character, so I read it anyway.
There's also a new Nghi Vo, the latest entry in the Singing Hills Cycle, out tomorrow.
That makes me realize the new Ann Leckie is out on the 12th, not the 5th. But still, new Murderbot, new Imperial Radch, and new Singing Hills in the span of a week is pretty great for my reading list.
There's also a new Nghi Vo, the latest entry in the Singing Hills Cycle, out tomorrow.
That makes me realize the new Ann Leckie is out on the 12th, not the 5th. But still, new Murderbot, new Imperial Radch, and new Singing Hills in the span of a week is pretty great for my reading list.
I have been struggling to muster the enthusiasm to read for quite a while now, but I think I'm finally on the mend. The book that cracked it was Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir, which I absolutely devoured in about six hours straight.
Since then I've read: What We Can Know by Ian McEwan (science fiction without the science); a couple of novels by Elizabeth Strout; The Shattering Peace by John Scalzi (comically implausible a la John Wick); and am currently halfway through The Infinite Sadness of Small Appliances by Glenn Dixon, which is both playful and unsettling.
Since then I've read: What We Can Know by Ian McEwan (science fiction without the science); a couple of novels by Elizabeth Strout; The Shattering Peace by John Scalzi (comically implausible a la John Wick); and am currently halfway through The Infinite Sadness of Small Appliances by Glenn Dixon, which is both playful and unsettling.
.... Fascinating. May need to look that up.
I just finished To Ride a Rising Storm, book 2 of Nampesheweisit, by Moniquill Blackgoose.
There were parts that leaned into the Victorian era a bit hard, and the first half of the book the main character was a bit too Mary Sue.
That second half? Whew boy. She is not a Mary Sue - some actual character growth! And then all the threads started to pull inward, coalescing into a crescendo of an ending. Yeah. Can’t wait for book 3!
Up next? The Faith of Beasts, by James S.A. Corey.
There were parts that leaned into the Victorian era a bit hard, and the first half of the book the main character was a bit too Mary Sue.
That second half? Whew boy. She is not a Mary Sue - some actual character growth! And then all the threads started to pull inward, coalescing into a crescendo of an ending. Yeah. Can’t wait for book 3!
Up next? The Faith of Beasts, by James S.A. Corey.
Agree with your comments on book 2 of Nampeshewesit - I liked it overall but felt that the story could have progressed more and earlier instead of saving it all for the end. But I am clearly hooked for book 3.
I am 75% of the way through Faith of Beasts and LOVING it. If you haven't read Livesuit, the related novella, I would consider reading that prior to starting book 2.
Alright, so read a plot recap of book 1, read the ebook of Livesuit, then jump in. Got it!